Transport Scotland - most up to date cost estimates for a number of projects: FOI release

Information requested

Provide the most up to date cost estimates for the following projects:

• Continued investment to support public sector fleet alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles
• Improved rail services and accessibility to stations between East Kilbride and Glasgow, and Aberdeen and Central Belt
• Improvements to the rail network between Aberdeen and the Central Belt
• Progress in the rail decarbonisation action plan
• A9 dualling between Perth and Inverness
• Design and development work to dual the A96
• Construction of the A77 Maybole Bypass
• Improvements to A92/A96 Haudagain junction
• Investment in the Sheriffhall junction with the A720
• Cross Tay link road
• Investment in the Laurencekirk junction with the A90
• Investment in the Longman junction with the A9/A82
• Investment in the A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton connection

Response

The information that you requested is as follows:

The investment figures to support public sector fleet alternatives are not held by Transport Scotland. Total investment will be influenced by developments in the market for electric vehicles, in particular changes in the price of cars and the increasing availability of zero emission light vehicles. It will also be affected by public sector procurement practices and decisions taken by local authorities and public bodies regarding fleet requirements. Transport Scotland is working with Scotland’s public sector to support these decisions and is providing approximately £15 million this year to support it. We will, where appropriate, continue to provide funding and advice to support and enable fleet transformation activities. Further information on funding for fleet activity will be set out in the Capital Spending Review to be published shortly.

The Scottish Government is committed to the delivery of the project which will deliver an electrified railway between East Kilbride and Glasgow, significantly reducing the overall impact on the environment and supporting the Scottish Government’s target to decarbonise rail passenger services by 2035. Reducing carbon emissions will not only improve rail’s green credentials, but will make the air cleaner and play a vital part in building a strong, green economy for the future. Plans for improved accessibility include cycle routes and improved footpaths aligning with Transport Scotland’s active travel vision, making walking and cycling the easy choice for shorter journeys to the station. The new transport system will enable local residents to make active travel choices to improve their health and physical and mental wellbeing, supporting the governments public health priorities and relieving pressure on local health services. £24.8
million was awarded in 2019 for development costs.

The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing passenger and freight services between Aberdeen and the Central Belt. The GRIP 2/Feasibility Study identified signalling and infrastructure enhancements to achieve this. £200 million has been identified as the estimated cost of the overall programme.

The Decarbonisation Action Plan details how we will achieve our commitment primarily through an increased and accelerated rolling programme of efficient electrification to be delivered to 2035, and beyond. In addition, the plan sets out how we will introduce alternative traction trains (battery or hydrogen fuel cell powered trains) into operation on those routes where electrification is not feasible, or appropriate, and also use them as an interim solution on other routes to bring earlier passenger and environmental benefits. Through a combination of electrification, phasing out diesel trains and introducing alternative traction, the traction element of all domestic rail passenger services can become decarbonised by 2035. The Decarbonisation Action Plan does not set out detailed cost information by route: that analysis is ongoing in tandem with the necessary comprehensive planning processes. In line with our financial appraisal process, we will develop costs and benefits for routes and projects which in aggregate provide more certainty at the strategic plan level. Although the Covid-19 health pandemic has unavoidably led to a level of uncertainty in future government measures and associated investment, we will aim to maintain our previous level of commitment to rail investment. As with all long-term government action, spend in this area will be aligned with future Capital Spending Review and Infrastructure Investment Plan cycles.

A9 dualling between Perth and Inverness total scheme cost estimate is £3 billion (the latest outturn estimate as appropriate to the stage of development of the programme). Construction of the section between Kincriag to Dalraddy is complete. Construction work is well underway on the second section between Luncarty and Birnam. Design work is also well underway on the remaining sections that make up the dualling programme with the statutory process underway for eight of the remaining nine sections.

Design and development work to dual the A96 is underway. The statutory process is underway for the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) section. The development and assessment of the preferred option on the Hardmuir to Fochabers section is ongoing. The route options assessment process on the East of Huntly to Aberdeen section is ongoing. It is too early to give an accurate scheme cost estimate. However, it is estimated to be in the region of £3 billion. As the design and preparation is progressed a more detailed estimate will be developed.

Construction of the A77 Maybole Bypass is underway with an estimated overall cost of £46 million.

Construction of the improvements to A92/A96 Haudagain junction is underway with an estimated overall cost of £49.5 million.

Investment in the Sheriffhall junction with the A720 is undertaking statutory consents process. The estimated overall cost was £116 million (at 2018 prices).

The Cross Tay Link Road is being promoted and delivered by Perth and Kinross Council. In 2019 the First Minister announced that the Scottish Government will invest £40 million in the Council’s Cross Tay Link Road.

Investment in the Laurencekirk junction with the A90 is undertaking statutory consents process. The estimated overall cost was £24.7 million (at 2019 prices).

Design work is underway with the development and assessment of the preferred option ongoing for investment in the Longman junction with the A9/A82. The total scheme cost estimate range £85-95 million (at 2018 prices) reflects the stage of development of the scheme and gives a truer picture of the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with planning and constructing such a major piece of infrastructure. As the scheme becomes more developed and the risks associated with its construction are better understood then we would expect to be able to narrow the range of the estimated cost.

Investment in the A9/A96 Inshes to Smithton connection is undertaking statutory consents process. The total scheme cost estimate range £25-35 million (at 2015 prices) reflects the stage of development of the scheme and gives a truer picture of the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with planning and constructing such a major piece of infrastructure. As the scheme becomes more developed and the risks associated with its construction are better understood then we would expect to be able to narrow the range of the estimated cost.

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